West Indian ODI Specialists Look Forward To Series

West Indian ODI Specialists Look Forward To Series

Kieron Pollard is looking forward to the series getting underway

©Action Images / Scott Heavey

The four players drafted in specifically for the West Indies' One-Day International series with Sri Lanka, which begins on 9th December in Hambantota, have been talking about their excitement ahead of the first match.

All-rounder Kieron Pollard, batsman Kirk Edwards, left-arm spinner Nikita Miller and fast bowler Ravi Rampaul have joined up with the squad in Sri Lanka.

Pollard, 23, is aiming for improvement during the five-match series.

“I am very happy to be back in the West Indies team," he said. "I want to give my all and perform and put some scores on the board. I don’t think I have a point to prove, but I want to improve my performances at the international level and make the most of the opportunities on this tour."

Kirk Edwards, the newcomer in the squad says his selection on the back of strong performances for West Indies is a dream come true.

“Being selected to the West Indies team is a dream come true. As a little boy growing up in Barbados one of my ambitions was to represent the West Indies and I have been rewarded. The hard work starts now and I want to take this opportunity and make the most of it. I want to keep learning and making progress. I want to do well.”

For Nikita Miller, who has played 33 ODI matches, the matches represent more opportunity for him to continue with what he calls the right approach.

“I will be looking to continue my familiar pattern, which is to create pressure on the batsmen and look for wickets. The pitches here in Sri Lanka are usually ideally suited for batting but in recent times there has been a lot of rain around so that might change things a bit. No matter the conditions, cricket is a game of mental strength and I am confident that once I work hard and have the right approach I will reap success.”

Fast bowler Ravi Rampaul, a veteran of some 50 One-Day Internationals, is the fourth ODI specialist called up and he revealed he has been working hard on bowling in the closing stages of one-day innings.

“I see myself as a wicket-taker and I am looking to make a positive contribution to the team’s success on this tour. I think I did well in the matches against Pakistan A and I happy the selectors have given me an opportunity on this tour. Part of my job is to bowl at the ‘death’ and that is something I have been working hard to perfect,” he said.

© Cricket World 2010